Evolution is everywhere. From the unicellular organisms in your gut flora to the extreme outbursts of the modern day metal scene, everything evolves. Everything renews and innovation is usually highly applauded. So it's no wonder that classic genres like thrash metal take on new forms and incorporate different elements. Sometimes it's not even very clear why a certain album, or in this case an ep, is so refreshing and different from the originators of the genre. Yet, you sense that there is something that makes it sound so modern and fresh.

That brings me to Wasted Shells, a heavy quintet from Malmö, Sweden. They first formed in 2006 and saw a rebirth with a new line-up in 2010. Two full-lengths have been released so far. Personally, I'm not acquainted with those albums so I can't compare this ep with them. Yet, that doesn't have to be a problem because this is a brilliant piece of modern thrash metal which is quite irresistible for fans of bands like Pantera, In Flames, Slayer, Metallica, The Haunted and Children Of Bodom.

Wasted Shells like to write about dark, heavy things and do so with a lot of power. They take thrash metal as a basis but include a lot of different elements in their music. From the melodic blackened death of several Swedish bands to post-hardcore and screamo passages, Wasted Shells makes it their own and blast it out with a tremendous amount of energy and aggression. Vocals range from fierce screams to gloomy, clean chants and back again.

My favorite tracks on this ep are 'Masterplan', 'Breathe In Breathe Out' and that was quite a hard choice to make. The whole ep is loaded with intensity and brutal power, regardless of the tempo. I mean, 'Today (The Edge)' could be seen as a ballad but that too is one blast of a song. Closer '2215' shows a different approach, dark and gloomy and a bit Tiamat like.

So metalheads of all ages, check out this thing because you might just have discovered a new favorite band in the ever-evolving metal scene. Maybe even check them out live before you get your hands on this. This would certainly be a bomb on stage.